Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18400, Abiezer Field, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Field, Abiezer
NUMBER
S. 18400
CONTENTS
Carded

6710
Massachusetts Abiezer Field
of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Leonard of the Reg t commanded by _____ in the _____ line per 6 May 20 Days
Inscribed on the Roll of _____ at the rate of 22 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of Mar- 1833 and _____ J. S. Hodges Sec y of Rep s
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1833 $44.66 Penzant. allowance ending 4 Feb - " 11.16 $55.82
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. S. Blair Clerk Book D, Vol. 20-27 Page 51.

Abiozer Field The son of Zebulon Field & Charity his wife was born in Farmington Dec 18 1761.
As appears on Record
Attest Alfred William J. Gilt
1832 1761 91

Abner Field N o 9867
Private 6 months 21 days
Adm'd
2 a Section W. O P
Feb-18. 1863
§ 22-33
P 259
Hon: J. L. Hodges Staunton Ms.

BRIEF in the case of Abner Field of the County of Bristol in the State of Mass. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1777 Apr. — 1 — Private Capt. Leonard   " June — 2 — do Capt. Milbeer at Melbour   " Sep. — 2 — do Cobb Capt.   78 or 79 July 15 — 1 — do Capt. Hoskins   79 — — 21 do Capt. Olddy  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Taunton  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.

9867 Abies Field
C. H.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Bristol ss.
On this twelfth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Adonai of the Bristol  Judge of Probate now sitting at Taunton in and for said County, Abner Field a resident of Norton in said County, aged seventy years , who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Taunton in the county of Bristol to the Massachusetts on the eleventh day of December A. D. 1761, and that there is a record of his birth in said Taunton : that he was in the United States service from about the fifteenth day of April A. D. 1777, to the fifteenth day of May A. D. 1777 as a private in the company commanded by  Abner Field that he was residing at Taunton in the county of Bristol when he entered the service; that he enlisted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Abner Field of Taunton in said State of Massachusetts
: that he marched from Taunton to Berkeley , from Berkeley to Freeborn from Freeborn to Swanton : that he served at Swanton with both Abner Field and Lieut. Abner Field of the regular troops; and regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge: that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Taunton aforesaid about ten years and the rest of the time at Norton aforesaid
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from about the fifteenth day of May A. D. 1777, to the fifteenth day of July A. D. 1777 as a private in the company of Capt. Joshua Wilbur : that he was residing at Taunton aforesaid when he entered the service; that he enlisted at New Swanton and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Joshua Wilbur of Taunton in the State aforesaid
: that he marched from Swanton to Hill River , from Hill River to Slades Ferry from Slades Ferry to Providence from Providence  to Slades Ferry : that he served at Providence with Capt. Joshua Wilbur and Lieut. Simon Tivoli of Swanton of the regular troops; and regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge.
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from about the first day of Sept. A. D. 1777, to the first day of Nov. A. D. 1777 as a private in the company of Capt. Simon Tabb : that he was residing at Taunton aforesaid when he entered the service; that he enlisted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Simon Tabb of Taunton in the County of Bristol
: that he marched from Taunton to Rehoboth , from Rehoboth to Pautuckett from Pautuckett to Providence : that he served at Providence with Capt. Simon Tabb, Sergeant Abner Field of the regular troops; and regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge.

Also: That he was in the United States service from the nineteenth day of August 1778 or 1779, I cannot tell which to the nineteenth day of October 1778 or 1779 I was either 17 or 18 years old, as a private in Capt. Jacob Hoskins's company. That he was residing at Taunton in the County & State aforesaid when he entered the service; that he enlisted & served the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Hoskins of Taunton in the County & State aforesaid; that he marched from Taunton to Rehoboth from Rehoboth to Brimfield from Brimfield to Providence where he was stationed on the hill, that he served at Providence, and that he recalls no officers except Capt. Jacob Hoskins and Sergeant Abijah Wood; that he was in
no battle & at the end of his service received no written discharge. Also: That he was in the United States service here by one says some time between the first day of June 1779 and the first day of July 1779 as a private in the company of Capt. Nathaniel Dyer. That he received at Taunton when he entered the service; that he volunteered as an alarm man & served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Dyer of Taunton in the County & State aforesaid; that he marched from Taunton to Berkeley from Berkeley to Freetown from Freetown to Swanton; that he served at Swanton, that he recalls no officers except Capt. Dyer; that Thomas Lincoln of Taunton was a fellow soldier with me; that he was in no battle and at the end of the service received no written discharge and that the Rev. Pitt Clarke of Norton & James L. Woodges of Taunton are known to him.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
We Pitt Clarke a clergyman, residing in the town of Norton H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
and James L. Woodges residing in Taunton hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abijah Wood who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy - years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid. Pitt Clarke, James L. Woodges. H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Pitt Clarke, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Norton; and that Wm James L. Woodges who has also signed the same is a resident in Taunton and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Bristol do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Abijah Wood for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid. Anselm Bassett

18400 INVALID.
Am
File No. 18400
Abner Field
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 126
[Arrangement of 1870.]

N o 9867 Abner Field
Hon. J. L. Hodges Taunton Ms.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abiezer Field which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Supplied XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes for some enlistments If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes in the 3 first cases XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes.
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

I Solomon Leonard of Farmton within the county of Bristol labourer of lawful age do testify and say that I was drafted a soldier in the year 1777 for two months and served under under Capt Simon Bobb of Farmton in the county aforesaid, Abiezer Field of said Farmton enlisted and was a soldier in both bobs among and served with me the term of two months in 1777. We were stationed a part of the time at the college in Providence and a part of the time on the hill the other side of the river in Providence I am well acquainted with said Field and have been for more than fifty five years. His character for truth is good, and he has ever been reputed to have been a revolutionary soldier, and to have performed other services than those above mentioned Solomon Leonard
Bristol ss August 24 th 1832 Then personally appeared the above named Solomon Leonard and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me
Ezra Storer Judge of the peace

I Zebulon Field of Sannton within the county of Bristol of low full age do testify and say that Abiezer Field of Norton within the county of Oxford, was seventy years old the eleventh day of last December and that I was seventy two years old the twenty second day of last January. I served with said Abiezer one month at Littlehampton according to the best of my recollection in the months of April and May 1777 I think that we enlisted and served as privates privates under Capt. Jacobus Leonard Zebulon Field my father was lieutenant The said Abiezer Field, immediately after his discharge from the above service enlisted for two months, and served one month at the college in Woudensue, and one month at St. Loe's Ferry. I served with him. We served as privates under the command of Capt. Joshua Wilbur. Lieut. Simeon Tindale, & I do not recollect our ensign. The last mentioned service was performed in the months of May, June & July 1777 as near as I can recollect. Zebulon Field
Yested 11 August 28 th 1832 Then personally appeared before me the above named Zebulon Field and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit. Agnes Dollery Clerk of the Peace

S
Zechariah Field Solomon Leonard Thos. Lincoln
Washington Feb. 22 1833
I hereby certify that full confidence may be placed in the testimony of Zechariah Field, Solomon Leonard and Thomas Lincoln - the foregoing witnesses
James L. Hodges

I Thomas Lincoln of Townton within the county of Bristol & State of Massachusetts Esquire of low birth do testify and say that I was only  only  seventy two years old the fourth day of September now last past. That I have known Abraham  Abraham Field never since he was a boy that said Field is about seventy one years old, that I was in the service of the United States with him two campaigns, (to wit) in the spring of 1777 I think at  at  at  at  at  at a part of both of the same year, said Field served one month as a private in the com- -pany commanded by Capt. Jobab Leonard of Tiverton in the state of Rhode Island. I served with said Field in said company the same length of time at the same place. We marched from Townton to Tiverton said Field was dismissed at said Tiverton and the same day on which he was dis- -missed he enlisted under Capt. Joshua Wilbur of said Townton to serve two months, and did serve two months under said Joshua, to wit about one month at Providence in the state of Rhode Island and about a month at Slader Ferry. I was a fellow soldier with said Abraham under said Joshua, and served with him the same length of time at the places afore said Thomas Lincoln

Sworn on August 28 th 1832 Then personally appeared before me the within named Thomas Penniman and made oath to the truth of the within affidavit Cyrenus S. Chaplin Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Of Bristol ss.
I James Sprout, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify, that Cyrenus S. Chaplin Esq. whose signature is affixed to the foregoing & annexed certificate, is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Jas. Sprout